Bowling ball handling and return mechanism



G. FRiL-:D 3,107,917

BOWLING BALL HANDLING AND RETURN MEcHANIsM Oct. 2 2, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16, 1960 o?, my o@ ATTORNEY Oct. 22, 1963 G. FRIED 3,107,917

BOWLING BALL HANDLING AND RETURN MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FlG. 3 66 64\\ Filed March 16, 1960 GEORGE FRIED M4 @ym ATTOBNEY G. FRIED 3,107,917 BOWLING BALL HANDLING AND RETURN MECHANISM 4` sheets-sheet 5 Oct. 22, 1963 Filed March 16, 1960 ATTORN EY .G. FRIED Oct. 22, 1963 3,107,917

' BOWLING BALL HANDLING ANL RETURN MECHANISM f4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F'led March 16, 1960 FIGJ FIG.8

GEORGE l-Ru-:D4

BY Ml ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,i.07,92l7 BWLlNG BALL HANDLING AND RETURN MECHANESM George Fried, Stamford Conn., assigner to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 16, .19ct), Ser. No. i',27 tiaims. {(Il. 273-49) The present invention relates to bowling ball handling apparatus and more particularly to mechanis-m for removing a -bowling -ball from the pit of a bowling alley and delivering it to a ball return system for return to the head end of the alley.

The invention is characterized by the provision of an upwardly extending movable bal-l track and a coacting endless conveyor, such as an endless belt conveyor spaced therefrom, located in the pit of a bowling alley. The lower extremity of the ball track is mounted in spaced relationship above the upper lap of the travelling pit conveyor, -a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball. A ball thrown or rolling into the alley pit and onto a suitable conveyor located therein engages or is moved against the pit cushion or backstop which retards its momentum. A ball, thus slowed, is deposited in a I vguide channel extending transversely of the pit. In accordance with -a preferred form of the invention, this guide channel, delivers a ball generally `obliquely across the pit to one side thereof Aand through an opening in the lower portion of the cushion beneath a nose formed on the lower extremity of the ball track and into the bigbt formed by the ball elevating conveyor and the substantially vertically-movable ball track. A ball moving into the space -between the endless belt conveyor and the ball track displaces the track vertically momentarily. As soon as the ball is engaged the belt conveyor land held thereby on the track, the track drops by `gravity and 4the rotation of the ball thereon to its initial position. At the upper end `of the track, the ball is discharged from engagement with the ball track and belt conveyor with a -positive forward rolling movement onto the return rails of the ball return track. The fact that a ball being elevated maintains the track down, prevents another ball from being elevated thereby insuring proper spacing of balls and elimination of damage to balls by one striking against another. This arrangement also prevents the obstruction of movement of one ball by another on the return runway which might result in the failure of balls to reach the storage rack at the head end of an alley.

In a modified form of the present invention, the movable ball track is replaced by a lixed ball track having a spring-loaded guide or nose at its llower extremity. The guide is spaced from the upper lap of the pit conveyor a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball. A ball directed thereto, urges the track nose upwardly as it moves into the bight formed by the ball elevating conveyor and the ball track. A `ball thus engaged by the ball track land ball conveyor is travelled upwardly from the spring-loaded nose onto the iixed ball track for delivery onto the rails of a ball return track.

In order to prevent the entry of a ball directly from the playing surface of a bowling alley into the ball return mechanism, there is prow'ded, in another modified form of the present invention, a ball `guide channel having a portion thereof adjacent the ball return mechanism extending into the space between adjacent bowling alleys. The pit cushion is likewise provided with a portion thereof in the path of travel yof a ball moving along the alley gutter aligned with the ball return mechanism. Thus lany ball entering directly into the return mechanism engages some portion of the pit cushionand has its momentum dissipated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a j antan Patented Oct. 22, 1963 novel bowling lball elevating and return device which is simple in construction and operation and which can be located in the pit of a bowling al-ley so that the time required in returning a ball to la player at the head end of the al-ley is greatly decreased.

It is an object of the invention to provide in a ball return mechanism a ball elevating conveyor and a track spaced therefrom less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball and means mounting at least a portion of the track for upward vertical movement relative to the ball conveyor by a ball engaged therebetween.

It is an object of the present invention to provide, in a ball return mechanism, a ball elevating conveyor and a track spaced therefrom less than the maximum diameter of a -bowling ball and means mounting the track for upward vertical movement relative to the ball conveyor by a ball engaged therebetween.

It is an object in the preferred embodiment of the invention to provide, in a ball return mechanism, `a ball elevating conveyor and a track spaced therefrom less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball which is operative to elevate one ball and is so mounted for movement relative to the conveyor that while one ball is being elevated, another ball cannot be lifted.

It is an object in a modified form of the invention to provide, in a ball return mechanism, a ball elevating conveyor and a track spaced therefrom less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball which is mounted for upward pivoting movement relative to the ball conveyor by a ball engaged therebetween.

lt is another object in a modified form .of the linvention to provide, in a ball return mechanism, an upwardly extending, preferably vertical barll elevating conveyor and 1a ball track spaced from the conveyor less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, the track having iixed rails and a lower ball guide resiliently connected to the xed rails and movable theretoward by a ball engaged between the conveyor and the ball return track.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ball guide channel in the pit of a bowling alley for assisting in the movement of balls deposited in the .pit into the range of operation of a ball return mechanism.

Another object of a modified form of the invention is to provide a novel ball return mechanism which is located in the pit of a bowling alley and which is so constructed that balls delivered into the pit are controlled in their movement from entering directly into the ball return mechanism.

The foregoing and other objects, `features and advantages -of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished will become more readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed descniption of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments of the invention; and wherein like characters `of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings.

FIGURE l is a partial yside elevation of the pit of a bowling alley provide Iwith the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE -lA is a :cross-sectional View of the -pit conveyor support and ball guide mernbers taken along approximately the longitudinal centerline thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the pit of a bowling alley with the preferred embodiment lof the invention showing the preferred form of the ball guide channel.

FIGURE 4 is a front view partly in section, of the pit of a bowling alley illustrated in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE is a partial side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 6 is a partial side elevation of another modided form of the invention. k

FIGURE 7 is a partial plan view of the .pit of a bowling alley illustrating a modified form of ball guide channel.

FIGURE 8 is a view taken on line 8 8 of FIG- URE 7.

Referring to FGURES 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown mounted in the pit P of a conventional bowling alley A between kickbacks K and K1 thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, pit Pis provided with a travelling pit-wide conveyor 1d which conducts pins and balls delivered thereto from the playing surface of alley A rearwardly of pit P in the direction of arrow C, FIGURE l. Conveyor .1@ is preferably formed of a resilient material having a high Lco-eiirlcient of friction; such as, rubber or rubber-irnpregnated canvas.

Conveyor 10 Iwhich preferably lis in continuous motion in pit P, describes a path of travel around rollers 12 and 14 mounted ton generally inclined transverse shafts 16 and '18, respectively. Shafts 16 and 18 are supported in suitable ibeanin-gs at each end in kickbacks K and K1. One end of shaft 13 is provided with a sheave 2t) about which belt 22 passes. Belt 22 is driven from any suitable power source (not shown) such as the main machine drive of an associated automatic bowling pin spotting machine (not shown). Belt 22 thus operates to notate sheave 20, shaft 18 and roller 12 to dnive conveyor 10 rearwardly in pit P.

To stop the forward movement, retard the momentum of bow-ling Iballs thrown into pit P and effect the separation of pins and balls in the pit, there is provided a transverse pitwide cushion or backstop 24. Cushion 24 is mounted on spaced arms 26 mounted on and downwardly depending from a shaft 28 supported by kickbacks K and K1. The bottom edge of cushion 24 is spaced from the upper lap of conveyor 10 a distance greater than the maximum diameter lof a bowling pin but less than the maximum ,diameter of a bowling ball. Thuls pins on conveyor lil can pass freely beneath cushion 24, but balls cannot.

Mounted beneath the upper lap fof conveyor il@ isa support platform or bounce board 3-2 secured to brackets 34 xed to kickbacks K and K1. Bracket 34 fixed to kickback K1 is slightly higher in elevation than its corresponding bracket 34 fixed to kickback K. This ar-y range-ment pnovi'des platform 32 with a downward pitch or incline from kickback K1 towards K. Adjacent one edge of platform 32 there is provided an inclined ball guide element 36 having an oblique tapered edge 37 extending transversely across pit P, guide element 36 being mounted on platform 32 with an incline opposite to the direction of travel of conveyor 10 (see FIGURE 1A). C13-acting with :guide element 36 is a second guide element 3S mounted towards the front of platform 32 beneath conveyor 110. Guide element 3S is provided with a bevelled edge 39 which complements edge 37 of guide `36 and form-s an oblique ball guide 'channel 4t) extending transversely across pit y1 between kickbacks K and K1.

Balls thrown on alley A usually have suiilcient speed to cause an arc of trajectory greater than the space provided in pit P. A ball impacting or engaging cushion 24 urges it backwards, pivoting lits supporting shaft 28 mounted in suitable bearings in kickbacks K, K1. `ln this manner a ball engaged by cushion 24 is deflected onto the upper lap of conveyor 1() above guide element 36. Such ball gravitates on guide element 36 linto ball channel 40 and whence it rolls across pit P towards kickback K. Pins. on conveyor 10 are moved over ball channel 49 and guide element 36 beneath pit cushion 24 towards the rear lof pit P. A ball delivered into pit P without -suliicient `forward momentum to engage pit cushion 2.4 drops onto conveyor llt) above guide element 3S and rolis into channel 4d and thence therealong towards kickback K. Thus balls, regardless of the momentum with which they are delivered into pit P because of the fact that channel 40 is located at a relatively steep angle relative to the direction of rearward movement of oonveyor lil, are speedily conducted transversely across pit P towards kickback K. Also the friction between conveyor 10 and a ball thereon causes the ball to be forced against edge 37 and Ymaintained thereagainst while at the [same time it moves transversely and vobliquely along channel dt). it will Ibe noted that the steeper the incline of channel 49, the faster a ball will traverse it.

Adjacent kickback K 'at the end of oblique ball channel 4?, platform 32 is provided with a pair of spaced ball guides 42 mounted on platform 32 parallel to kiekback K forming a second ball channel 44 parallel to the longitudinal axis of alley A. Therefore, a ball delivered into pit P is conducted obliquely and across, and then rearwardly thereof. Aligned with ball channel 44 is a suitable cutout 46 in pit cushion 24 which permits the passage of iballs in channel 44 past cushion 24 to the ball return mechanism, designated generally 50.

In the preferred embodiment ball return 50 includes a ball elevating conveyor 52 which describes a genenally vertical path of travel about rollers 54 and 56 mounted on upper and lower shafts 58 and 6d, respectively. Shaft 60 is suitably supported at each end in spaced side plates 62 which together with front and rearv plates 63 and 65, respectively, forms a housing for the ball elevating conveyor drive mechanism. Rear plate 65, in turn, is fixed to bracket 64 secured to channel 66, extending transversely of pit'P and suitably attached at each end to kickbacks K and K1. Shaft 60 has a portion thereof extending through one side plate -62 and kickback K on the end of which is mounted a sprocket 68; Mounted on sprocket 68 is a drive chain 7d, the other end of which passes over a sprocket '72 fixed to shaft 18 between kickback. K and sheave 20. Thus, belt 22 also drives conveyor 52.

Shaft 58, which carries roller S4, is rotatably supported between a pair of spaced arms 74, secured to a sleeve '76, fastened to shaft 7S parallel to shaft 5S. Shaft '78 is suitably mounted in bearings 30 fixed to crossframe 82 secured transversely of pit P to kickbacks K and K11. One end of shaft '78 extends through kickback K and mounts an arm 842. The free end of arm 84 is provided with a pin 86 which supports one end of a suitable tension spring 88. The other end of spring 88 is iixed to a stud S9 attache-d to the outer face of kickback K. Spring S8 functions to pull arm 84 down and maintain conveyor belt I52 properly resiliently tensioned.

Spaced from the ball engaging lap 53 of conveyor 50 is a ball track, which as shown comprises a pair of laterally spaced rails 90 xed to vertically spaced crossframes 92. Rails 90 preferably are of hollow round cross section. Rails 90 are mounted in longitudinally spaced relationship with the ball engaging lap 53 of conveyor 56 a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball. Cross frames 92 are supported for vert-ical movement on vertically spaced horizontal support rods 94 fixed to bracket 96 secured to the inner face of kickback K. Thus, rails 9o are mounted for freely sliding upward movement. The lower extremities of rails 90 lare provided with a transverse ball guide element 9S having a rounded nose section 99. Upper rod 94 is positioned `in its associated frame 92 to limit the downward movement of rails 9b such that element 98 is spaced from the upper lap of conveyor 10 a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball. It will be understood that the ball track comprising rm'ls 9d and guide 93 with nose section 99 and conveyor 52 are located substantially in alignnment with pit cushion cutout 46 and ball guide channel 44 (see FIGURES Z and 3).

in operation, a ball deposited on conveyor 19 uponV scribed hereinabove, gravitates or is urged therein across pit P towards kickback K onto that portion `of conveyor l0 above ball channel 44. A ball so positioned on conveyor and in ball channel 44 rolls or is moved by conveyor 10 through pit cushion cutout 46 into the range of operation of bar return Sil where it engages nose 99 of ball guide 98. Since guide element 98 is spaced from the upper lap of conveyor it) a distance less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, a ball moving past pit cushion 24 travels next beneath nose 99 and guide element 98. This action causes guide element and rails 95j to be moved upwardly whereupon the ball enters the b-ight formed by ball engaging and lifting lap 53 of conveyor 52 and rails 9).

As a ball enters the space or bight between track 90 and conveyor belt lap 53, track 9d is moved vertically. However, when on the ball begins its upward travel -gnavity and the clockwise rotation of `a ball engaged by lap 53 of conveyor belt 52 (as viewed in FGURE l) causes a downward movement of track 9G, the ball is then rolled while resiliently frictionally engaged on track 90 by conveyor lap 53 of 52 upwardly along track or rails 90 to an elevated point of discharge at the upper extremity of track 9o. The construction and operative relationship of the mechanism described is such that when a ball is discharged over rounded guide nose liti of horizontal ball support track ti) forming a path of return runway T, it is given a positive forward rolling movement by .conveyor lap 53, thereby assisting in and expediting its return along return track T to the head end of the alley.

lIt should be noted that as a result of the relocation of tracks on rails 9i) in their initial position (FIGURE l) as long as a ball is positioned between track 90 and belt lap 53, nose 99 will block the entry of another ball into the bight between track 90 and conveyor 52. Thus the construction prevents more than one ball from being elevated at the same time.

As the ball is travelled upwardly by conveyor 52 along rails 96 such ball has a -tendency to urge conveyor 52 downwardly away from rails 9d. However, it is necessary to maintain the ball lifting lap of conveyor 52 in spaced relationship with rails 99 and'to provide adequate tension on conveyor 52 during the ball lifting operation for proper -ball delivery. Hence, as a ball is elevated along rails 99, arms "I4, supporting shaft 5S tend to move downwardly, rotating shaft '78' in bearings 8d in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1. It will be understood however, that arm 84 on shaft 78, with its associated tension spring 3S opposes such movement by arms 74, maintaining the ball lifting lap of conveyor S2 in spaced relationship with rails 9G and providing the proper tensioning of conveyor 52.

To ensure proper drive of conveyor 52 without slippage there is provided a roller 192 supported :on shaft 104 iixed inside plates 62 which co-acts with drive roller 56 of conveyor 52. The return lap of conveyor 52 passes between roller 102 and rol-ler 56 as shown in FIGURE l, the position of roller 1&2 increasing the amount of conveyor 52 in contact with drive roller 56, thus ensuring adequate positive drive of conveyor 52. without slippage, ensuring proper ball return delivery.

It will be understood further, that since rails 9ov are held downwardly away from conveyor itt while in use, thereby preventing the entry of another ball, only one ball at a time can be engaged by conveyor 52 for delivery to tracks T of the bail return track, ensuring adequate spacing of balls on the ball return track preventing damage from collision therebetween.

In a modied form of the present invention, illustrated in FIGURE 5 and in which like numbers designate like parts, there is provided tlor coaction with conveyor 52, a pair of spaced rails 1%; Each rail 199 is mounted on a pair of spaced upper and lower links 192 and 194, respectively (only one of which is shown).

Links 192 are rotatably supported on a transverse end of each link 192 being suitably' shaft 196 xed to the inner face of kickback ciated rail 190. Links 194 in turn `are rotatably mounted in common on a shaft 193, ixed to the inner face of kickback K :directly below shaft 196i. The lower end of each link 194 is suitably pinned to its associated rail 19t) directly below and in parallel relationship with upper link i092. Thus links i'92 and T94 form a parallelogram, ensuring vertical movement of rails 19o relative to the ball lifting lap of conveyor 52. The lower extremities of rails 90 are provided with a ball engaging guide element 209* having a rounded nose section 26d. Upper links l92 are positioned relative to pit cushion shaft 2S such that the lower portion of links 192 rest thereagainst with element 20) spaced from the upper lap of conveyor l@ less than the diameter of a bowling ball.

`In operation `a ball passing through pit cushion cutout 46 pivots nose 29o and its associated rails 19@ upwardly as the ball moves into the blight formed by conveyor 52 and rails 19d, nose Ztil ensuring positive engagement of a ball by lconveyor 52. Such ball is frictionally engaged therebetween and travelled by conveyor 52. upwardly along rails i9@ to an elevated point of discharge at the upper extremity of rail igt/ At the point off discharge rails @il 'are provided with -a generally horizontal support 292 having a no-se section Ztl which is operative with conveyor 52 to release balls from between conveyor 52 and rails 1:90y and conduct them onto a suitable ball return track (not shown).

In another modiiied form o-f the .present invention, illustrated in FIGURE 6 and in which like numbers designate 'ke parts, there is provided for coactio-n with conveyor 52 a pair of spaced rails 29o! fixed in spaced relationship with conveyor 52 on spaced upper `and lower brackets .2192. Brackets 292, are, in turn, supported in the inner face of kickback K. Adjacent the lower extremity of rails 290` is a ball guide element 294, having a rounded nose section 295. Guide element 294 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 2%' xed to the inner face of kickback K. Element 294 is provided with a stud V2.95 to which is mounted one end of a suitable compression spring 369. The other end of compression spring 300 is fixed to a stud 302'p1ovi-ded in lower bracket 292. Lower bracket 292 and spring 30o are positioned and dimensioned to locate guide element 294 in spaced relationship with the upper lap ot conveyor it) less 4than the diameter of a bowling ball.

ln operation, a ball passing through pit cushion cutout 46 pivots guide element 294 upwardly -as the ball moves into the bight formed by conveyor 52 and nose 295 of element 294 and is held therein by nose 295. Such ball is frictionally engaged therebetween and travelled by conveyor 52 from guide element 2.94 onto ixed rails 29d and thence to an elevated point of discharge at the upper extremity of rails 29d'. Ars a ball is travelled upwards by conveyor 52 towards xed rails 2%, guide element 294 is returned tooperative ball engaging position by spring 36?. At the point of discharge rails 294i are provided with a generally horizontal support 394 having a rounded nose 306 which is operative with conveyor 52 to release balls from between conveyor 52 and rails 290y and conduct them onto a suitable ball return track (not shown).

Occasionally, a ball travels or is thnown along the gutter of alley A adjacent kickback K. To prevent such ball from entering directly into the ball return mechanism Su without lirst having its momentum retarded, there is provided a modiied form of the present invention, illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 and in which like iigures designate like parts. lIn this modification, ball channel 4t) conducts balls obliquely across pit P into a recess 400 formed in kickback K. Pit cushion 402 has a cutout 4M, a portion 403 of which adjacent kickback K is aligned with the gutter (not shown) of -alley A. Platform 40S is provided, adjacent kickback K, with a ball pinned to its 3,580;` K, the lower 7 guide dito having a curved, bevelled edge 4%, generally aligned with arcuate recess in kickback K.

A ball moving along the gutter (not shown) in alley A and into pit P contacts portion i913 and is deposited into channel dil for movement into recess edil of kick: back K. Such ball then is conducted along curved channel dit) formed by edge i of guide titi and recess lili? into the range of operation of ball return mechanism Sil. Such arrangement ensures that all balls thrown or moved into the pit from alley A move safely towards the ball return mechanism.

What I claim is:

'1. A bowling ball handling and return mechanism comprising a ball engaging and lifting conveyor, means mounting said lifting conveyor in the pit of a bowling alley, a substantially vertical ball track mounted in spaced ball-elevating relationship with said lifting conveyor, a ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a ball conveyor Iin said pit, a ball guide element at the lower end of said track, means mounting at least said element for vertical movement relative to said ball conveyor and yielda'oly biasing said element downwardly to a norm-al position at a distance above said ball conveyo-r which is less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, said element being displaceable upwardly from said normal position by a ball delivered thereto by said ball conveyor, thereby to permit the movement of the bali beneath said element and the engagement of said ball with said engaging and lifting conveyor, and means for driving the last-mentioned conveyor to elevate the engaged ball onto said ball track `for movement therealong and to said return runway.

Z. The invention as dened in claim l wherein said lifting conveyor and track are mounted at one side of said pit adjacent one of the kickbacks of said alley and Wherein said ball conducting means includes a travelling pitwide conveyor, means mounting said pitwide conveyor' in. said pit for conducting pins and balls rearwardly thereof, -a pit cushion, means mounting. said pit cushion transversely of said pit with the bottom of said cushion spaced from said pitwide conveyor less than the diameter of a bowling ball but greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin, said pin cushion being operative to sepa rate pins `and balls on said pitwide conveyor, guide elements, means mounting said guide elements beneath the upper lap of said pitwide conveyor in (front od said pit cushion for forming a ball channel across and adjacent one side of said pit, lan aperture in one side of said pit cushion aligned with said ball channel and the iirst mentioned conveyor for effecting movement of a ball in said channel past lsaid cushion and into the range of operation of said lifting conveyor.

3. The invention as dened in claim 2 wherein said alley kickback adjacent said ball return mechanism is provided with a recess, Iand wherein said guide elements forming said ball channel have a portion thereof cooperating with said recess for forming a portion of said ball channel through said recess and including means mounting said pit cushion with a portion thereof aligned with the gutter of said lalley adjacent said kickback provided with said recess whereby all balls deposited into said pit engage a portion of said pit cushion prior to entering into the range or operation of said lifting conveyor.

4. Bowling ball handling .and return mechanism for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end comprising a ball engaging and lifting conveyor having a travelling, substantially unbroken continuous ball engaging surface, means mounting said conveyor in said pit, a substantially vertical ball track, a` ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a ball delivery device, a ball Iguide element mounted on the lower end of said track and above said device a distance less than the maximum diameter of abowling ball, means mountting at least 4a portion of said track for upward vertical movement relative to said conveyor, means for operating said device to deliver balls in said pit beneath said guide element, said movable portion of said track being constructed and arranged toV be urged upwardly by a ball delivered beneath said guide element and then urged downwardly by gravity and rotation of ball to elect an engagement of said ball by said conveyor and prevent another ball from being moved by said device beneath said element, and means for driving said conveyor to elevate said engaged ball along said vertical ball track to said bal-l return runway.

5. Ball return mechanism for use with a bowling alley having a pit atone end comprising a ball engaging and ylililting conveyor having a travelling substantially unbroken continuous ball engaging surface, means mounting said conveyor in said pit adjacent one of the kickbacks of said alley, a substantially vertical ball track, a ball return runway located adjacent the upper endof said track, a ball guide element mounted on the lower end of said track, a ball conducting device located beneath said element a distance less lthan the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, for conducting balls only dclivered into said pit to said guide element, means mounting said track for upward vertical movement relative to said conveyor in response to its movement beneath said guide element to effect engagement of said ball by said conveyor and for downward movement to prevent a second ball from moving beneath said element until said iirst ball is delivered onto said runway, and means for driving said conveyor to elevate said engaged ball along said vertical ball track to said return runway.

6. The invention as dened in claim 5 wherein said track mounting means, and said conveyor are constructed and arranged rto maintain said track in depressed position by a ball moved therealong by said conveyor whereby only one ball at a time may bc delivered onto said return runway.

7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said track mounting means includes a pair of spaced frames, means associated lwith each frame land l-freely supporting said frame for upward land downward movement, said iframes and frame support means mounting said track for ver-tical movement relative -to said conveyor.

8. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said track mounting means includes a pair of spaced links, means mounting said links on each side of said tracks, a second pair of spaced links, means mounting said second pairs of links in parallel spaced relationship with said iirst pair of links, said links supporting said track for sub stantially vertical movement relative to said conveyor.

` 9. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said conveyor and track are mounted at one side of said pit and wherein said ball conducting means includes a travelling pitwide conveyor in said pit for conducting pins and balls rearwardly thereof, a pit cushion, means mounting said pit cushion transversely of said pit with the bottom of said cushion spaced from said pitwide conveyor less than the diameter of a bowling ball but greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin, said pit cushion being operativel to separate pins and balls, guide elements, means mounting said |guide elements beneath the upper lap of said pit conveyor in front of said pit cushion for, forming a ball channel across and adjacent one side of said pit, an aperture in one side of said pit cushion aligned with said ball'channel and said lifting conveyor for eecting movement of a ball in said channel past said cushion and into the range of operation of said lifting conveyor.

l0. Ball return mechanism for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof comprising a ball engaging and lifting conveyor having a travelling substantially unbroken continuous ball engagement surface, means mounting said conveyor in said pit adjacent one of the kickbacks of said alley, a substantially vertical ball track, means mounting said ball track in fixed spaced relationship with the ball engaging surface of said conveyor, a

ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a ball guide element adjacent the lower end of said track, means for conducting beneath said element a ball delivered into said pit, means normally supporting said element at a level where the same is engageable by said ball but also mounting said element for displacement upwardly by said ball conducted therebeneath, said element having a rounded lower -nose section engageable with a ball delivered thereto by -said conveyor to eiect said displacement of the element, means yieldably biasing said element downwardly toward said level thereof, -thereby to resist the movement of a ball beneath the ball guide element, and means for driving said conveyor to elevate an engaged ball along said vertical track to said runway.

1l. The invention as detined in claim 10 wherein said lifting conveyor and track are mounted at one side of Said pit and wherein said ball conducting means includes a travelling pit-wide conveyor in said pit for conducting pins and balls rearwardly thereof, a pit cushion, means mounting said pit cushion transversely of said pit with the bottom of said cushion spaced from said pitwide conveyor less than the diameter of a bowling ball but greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin, said pi-t cushion being `operative to separate pins and balls, guide elements, means mounting said guide elements beneath the upper lap of said pitwide conveyor in front of said pit cushion for forming a ball channel across and adjacent one side of said pit, a recess in said one kickback aligned with said ball channel and said lifting conveyor for electing movement of a ball in said channel around the end of said cushion and into the range of operation of said lifting conveyor.

12. A bowling ball handling and return mechanism comprising a ball engaging and lifting conveyor, means mounting said lifting conveyor in the pit of a bowling alley, a substantially vertical ball track mounted in spaced ball-elevating relationship with said lifting conveyor and having a ball guide element at its lower end, a ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a rearwardly travelling ball conveyor in said pit, means mounting said track for vertical movement relative to the lirst-mentioned conveyor and normally maintaining said track at a lower position in which said ball guide element is spaced a distance above said ball conveyor which is less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball, said track being displaceable upwardly from said normal position by a ball delivered thereto by said ball conveyor to permit delivery of the ball to said firstmentioned conveyor, and means `for driving said -rstmentioned conveyor to elevate the engaged ball onto said ball track for movement therealong and to said return runway, ysaid track being .maintained by said ball in said lower position during elevation of the ball by said lirstmentioned conveyor, thereby to obstruct momentarily the delivery of another ball thereto.

13. A bowling ball handling and return mechanism for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof comprising vball engaging and lifting conveyor means in said pit adjacent one of the kickbacks of the alley, a travelling pit-wide conveyor `in said pit for conducting pins and balls rearwardly thereof, a pit cushion extending in front of said conveyor means across substantially the width of the last-mentioned conveyor with vertical spacing therefrom less than the diameter of a bowling ball but greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling pin, said pit cushion being operative to separate pins and balls, and means for guiding a bowling ball toward the oney end of said cushion adjacent said one kickback, said one kick-back having a recess therein opposite said one cushion end and aligned with said conveyor means, said recess effecting the movement of a bowling ball around said one end of the cushion enroute to said conveyor means.

14. A bowling ball handling and return mechanism for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof comprising a ball engaging and lifting conveyor having a travelling substantially unbroken continuous ball engaging surface, means mounting said conveyor in said pit adjacent one of the kickbacks lof said alley, a substantially Vertical ball track, a ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a ball guide element mounted on the lower end of said track, a ball conducting device located beneath said element a distance less than the maX- imum diameter of a bowling ball for conducting balls only delivered into said pit to said guide element, means mounting said track for upward vertical movement relative to said conveyor in response to its movement beneath said guide element to eEect engagement of said conveyor by said ball and for downward movement -to prevent a second ball from moving beneath said element until said tirst ball is delivered onto said runway, and means for driving said conveyor to elevate said engaged ball along Said vertical ball track to said return runway, said means for mounting the track comprising a pair of vertically spaced horizontal cross frames supporting said track and each being hollow to provide a vertical guide, and rods received within said cross frames and supported from the face of said one kickback, whereby said frames are vertically slidable on side rods.

15. A bowling ball handling and return mechanism comprising a ball engaging and lifting conveyor, means mounting said conveyor in the pit of a bowling alley, a substantially vertical ball track mounted in spaced ball- `elevating relationship with said conveyor, a ball return runway located adjacent the upper end of said track, a ball conveyor in said pit, a ball guide element at the lower end of said track means mounting at least said element for vertical movement relative to said ball conveyor and yieldably biasing said element downwardly to a normal position at a distance above said ball conveyor which is less than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball,

v Said element being displaceable upwardly from said normal position by a ball delivered thereto by said ball conveyor, thereby to permit the movement of .the ball beneath said element and the engagement of said ball with said engaging and lifting conveyor, and said element thereafter being momentarily maintained in said normal position through the positive action of a ball being lifted by said ball engaging and lifting conveyor, thereby to prevent the movement of a second ball beneath said element during the lifting of the preceding ball.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,644 Patterson -i Mar. 25, 1952 2,699,945 iFrye Jan. 18, 1955 2,765,172 Zuercher et al. Oct. 2, 1956 2,803,463 Congelli Aug. 20; 1957 2,931,651 Zuercher Apr. 5, 1960 

1. A BOWLING BALL HANDLING AND RETURN MECHANISM COMPRISING A BALL ENGAGING AND LIFTING CONVEYOR, MEANS MOUNTING SAID LIFTING CONVEYOR IN THE PIT OF A BOWLING ALLEY, A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL BALL TRACK MOUNTED IN SPACED BALL-ELEVATING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID LIFTING CONVEYOR, A BALL RETURN RUNWAY LOCATED ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF SAID TRACK, A BALL CONVEYOR IN SAID PIT, A BALL GUIDE ELEMENT AT THE LOWER END OF SAID TRACK, MEANS MOUNTING AT LEAST SAID ELEMENT FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID BALL CONVEYOR AND YIELDABLY BIASING SAID ELEMENT DOWNWARDLY TO A NORMAL POSITION AT A DISTANCE ABOVE SAID BALL CONVEYOR WHICH IS LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM DIAMETER OF A BOWLING BALL, SAID ELEMENT BEING DISPLACEABLE UPWARDLY FROM SAID NORMAL POSITION BY A BALL DELIVERED THERETO BY SAID BALL CONVEYOR, THEREBY TO PERMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE BALL BENEATH SAID ELEMENT AND THE ENGAGEMENT OF SAID BALL WITH SAID ENGAGING AND LIFTING CONVEYOR, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING THE LAST-MENTIONED CONVEYOR TO ELEVATE THE ENGAGED BALL ONTO SAID BALL TRACK FOR MOVEMENT THEREALONG AND TO SAID RETURN RUNWAY. 